It's a rare financial advisor that will do better for you than just putting you money in an S&P index fund.

Why do those that argue against advice always make this comparison?

Do you have all your money in a S&P Index Fund? Would you recommend everyone, regardless of risk tolerance and need for income invest 100% in the S&P?

it's that rarely is anything of real value delivered for that fee.

It always seems that you folks think one-dimensional - beating an index. Advice is rarely, in my experience, about trying to beat an index. It is far more about education, risk and loss avoidance, financial planning (working on POAs, wills and trusts), maximizing social security, etc. The vast majority of people I meet don't even understand the differences between a Roth and a traditional IRA. They don't know the tax benefits they may receive from a 529 plan. They don't understand how they can file and suspend their social security allowing their spouse to claim spousal benefits now.

If you don't like paying a fee, don't - but there is no reason to look down on those that don't have the time, interest, knowledge, or desire to do all of their planning on their own.

Some people love math and hate to read, some people are just the opposite. I see no reason to heap scorn on those that simply have a different preference.

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